Baltimore City Wire

The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore has unveiled five new contemporary art installations, extending its engagement with the city's artistic community by integrating contemporary works with its historical collection. The installations feature site-specific commissions from artists Tsedaye Makonnen, Jackie Milad, and Stephanie Mercedes, complemented by pieces from Golnar Adili and Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann. These works address various themes, utilizing mediums that include lithography, mixed-media collage, and sculpture.

Gina Borromeo, Senior Director of Collections & Curatorial Affairs, stated, “Each day, it is our goal to bring our expansive collection into the present by relating it to the modern human experience. Contemporary art highlights the enduring relevance of the past, demonstrating how the ideas and perspectives explored throughout history continue to resonate today.”

Jackie Milad’s installation, featuring two mixed-media collages, is the first modern intervention in the Walters’ Ancient Egyptian galleries. These collages, placed near royal sculptures, explore Milad's multicultural identity through layers of neon paint and sketches.

Stephanie Mercedes contributes with "We Were Treated Like Numbers Rather Than Stars," a sculpture of annealed bullet casings displayed in the atrium. This piece, Mercedes explains, reflects themes of trauma and transformation.

Interdisciplinary artist Tsedaye Makonnen presents new mirrored light tower sculptures in the Walters’ medieval galleries, drawing on Ethiopian processional crosses. The sculptures seek to memorialize individuals affected by violence and notable figures in Baltimore.

Works by Golnar Adili and Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann are included in the museum's Asia and Islamic World galleries. Adili’s "Dust of Sorrow" reflects personal and cultural loss, while Mann's "The Pocket" explores themes with cultural roots in Chinese and European art.

The museum emphasized its strategy of juxtaposing contemporary and historic art, building on its recent decade of expanding its contemporary art collection through exhibitions and key acquisitions. These efforts have included works by Betty Cooke, Yélimane Fall, and Kehinde Wiley, among others, showcasing a diverse range of contemporary voices.

Contributions to Milad’s installation came from The Boshell Foundation, and the museum noted that admission and special exhibitions remain free, thanks to support from members, donors, and various grants.

For further visitor information, the Walters Art Museum is located at 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore, with free entry for all visitors.